BENNETT ISLAND. 



669 



the land, it was much nearer than when we camped ; 

 and Mr. Collins, who turned out during the night, said 

 we were in front of the valley, and he could see clear 

 water between us and an ice-foot, or strip of ice next 

 the land. The situation I think is as follows : — 



A. Our position. 



E. East end of south side island. 



W. West end of south side island. 



B. Ice rapidly drifting to S. W. before wind. 



C. Water and drift pieces. 



D. Ice-foot or strip of fast ice. 



I think we are far enough under the lee of the point 

 east to escape drifting with the ice pressing down along 

 the island, and passing the point east, even if we are 

 not in an eddy so created, and thus pushed in closer to 

 the land. As nothing can be seen clearly, it would be 

 folly to move into a probably endless confusion, and I 

 shall therefore wait until some plan can be safely car- 

 ried out. 



I do not think I shall ever forget yesterday. Such 

 a time of difficulty and vexation can be experienced 

 nowhere else. Such a shifting of ice and opening of 

 leads ! Hardly had we commenced to move our things 

 along what seemed a fair road, than the road broke up ; 

 ice broke under us, ice slid away from us, ice moved to 

 the right, when we wanted to go to the left, and vice 

 versa, and each installment of provisions got safely 

 across was considered by me as barely rescued from de- 

 struction. And all this time the land, not one half mile 

 off, was tempting us by its solidity, and appealing to 

 our desire for rest by its moss-covered hills and slopes. 



